It’s been a little over 30 years since Virtua Fighter first graced arcades, bringing with it a legacy of precision, depth, and unrelenting challenge. Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is the latest incarnation of the iconic series, and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and SEGA have delivered an enhanced Windows port of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (which was first released for the PlayStation 4 in 2021). Yes, 6 is nowhere in sight and it’s worth noting that the base version of Virtua Fighter 5 is almost as old as the franchise at this point, originally debuting in 2006 in Japanese arcades, and 2007 for home consoles.
Upon booting up R.E.V.O., the upgraded visuals take centre stage. The transition to 4K resolution with reworked textures breathes new life into the roster of fighters and arenas, and even with the small details, like cloth physics. Yet, the game wisely retains its signature aesthetic — staying true to the crisp, almost minimalist art style that makes it instantly recognisable. Even so, the game’s age occasionally peeks through, especially in the stiffness of some animations and less detailed environments.

At its core, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. retains the series’ mantra that made it a benchmark in the genre – ‘easy to learn, hard to master’. As a three-button fighter, the execution-heavy nature of Virtua Fighter might intimidate newcomers, but for those who invest the time, the rewards can be great. Matches play out with precise timing, spatial awareness, and a profound understanding of your opponent’s intentions. Unlike other fighters that revel in flashiness, Virtua Fighter 5 opts for a grounded, deliberate approach, and this port retains that sense of authenticity.
The addition of rollback netcode, a type of connection technique that reduces online latency, transforms the online experience. Online matches feel remarkably stable, even in cross-continental battles. Competitive players will find little to complain about here, as R.E.V.O. brings Virtua Fighter firmly into the modern era of online showdowns.

Speaking of, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is firmly for the competitive fighting game audience. The game’s suite of modes encompasses Arcade, Versus, Training, and Ranked Matches, and nothing more, so while these options are solid, they don’t push any boundaries.
In fact, there’s very little to be had in terms of a single-player experience. Players looking for a wacky story or opportunities to learn more about and connect with the various characters will have to look elsewhere and in this regard, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. faces stiff competition when stacked against its contemporaries like Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6.

At US$19.99/S$25.80, R.E.V.O. is priced generously, ensuring accessibility for both long-time fans and curious newcomers. Yet, the game isn’t without its quirks. While the rollback netcode is excellent, the matchmaking system could use more refinement to pair players more quickly.
Furthermore, as what is almost certainly the definitive way to play Virtua Fighter 5, R.E.V.O., the game is missing Quest Mode, which was only in the original release of the game. Quest Mode was a fun, open and non-linear mode that tasked players with picking a character and deepening their relationship with them via winning battles and earning currency and items to customise the character’s look.

Customisation options are also highly limited and close to non-existent and instead of packing them in, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and SEGA have opted to sell three DLC packs (Virtua Fighter Legendary Pack DLC, Yakuza Series Collaboration Pack DLC, and TEKKEN 7 Collaboration Pack DLC) at US$10/S$12.90 each, which add character customisation items, costumes, music and stages.
Despite these minor grievances, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is a triumph for fans of the franchise. The core mechanics remain unmatched in their precision, while the addition of rollback netcode and 4K visuals brings it firmly into the modern era. Though its devotion to competitive purity may alienate some, for fans and those seeking a high-skill, rewarding fighter, this is the definitive Virtua Fighter experience.
At least, until the next Virtua Fighter rolls around.
GEEK REVIEW SCORE
Overall
7.1/10-
Gameplay - 8/10
8/10
-
Story - 5/10
5/10
-
Presentation - 8.5/10
8.5/10
-
Value - 7/10
7/10